Apparatus for converting wind pressure into mechanical energy



Oct. 5, .1937. A, T, KEENE 2,094,603

APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING WIND PRESSURE INTO MECHANICAL ENERGY I Filed Feb. 4, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet l (I b 29 I .95 ,2

' INVENTOR. A .JIZZI/VZI BY 6 6 A'TTORNEY Oct. 5, 1937. A. T. KEENE 2,094,603

APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING WIND PRESSURE INTO MECHANICAL ENERGY Filed Feb. 4, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR.

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I v r V I: BY A 4/ ..,t ATTORNEY Oct 5, 1937. A. 'r. KEENE 0 APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING WIND PRESSURE'INTO MECHANICAL; ENERGY Filed Feb. 4, 1935 6 Sheets--Sheet 5 IN V EN T OR. a; A, ZTK/FA /l i,

- BY &

I 50 3 )JaTTOR NEY.

Oct. 5, 1937. A. T. KEENE APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING WIND PRESSURE INTO MECHANICAL ENERGY Filed Feb. 4, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 I INVENTOR. (9 a A.7." K[/I/:

H I ATTORNEY- i v I Oct 5, 1937. A. T. KEENEE 2,094,603

APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING WIND PRESSURE INTO MECHANICAL ENERGY 5 Filed Feb. 4, 1935 6 Shets-Sheet 5 LIP ' 1 :ATTORNEY').

A. T.- KEENE Oct. 5, 1937.

APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING WIND PRESSURE INTO MECHANICAL ENERGY 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 4, 1935 INVENY OR. A TKEEA/i,

d ATTO NEY Patented Oct. 5, 1937 r l I uNirsosraras PATENT oFFmE APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING WIND PRES- SURE INTO MECHANICAL ENERGY Archibald T. Keene, Fairhope, Ala. Application February 4, 1935, Serial No. 4,927 8 Claims. (01. 170-26) My invention relates broadly to an apparatus chanical energy in which a structural frame for converting wind pressure into mechanical having radially extending portions provides energy, and more particularly to an apparatus mounting means for groups of pressure areas, for efficiently utilizing natural pressure derived. with means individual to each of the groups for from wind for usefully generating energy on a' controlling the eifective area of the respective 5 large scale. group, each of the pressure areas comprising a One of the objects of my invention is to proplurality of vanes. vide an apparatus for generating and utilizing Still another object of my invention is to promechanical energy derived from wind pressure, vide a structure operative for generating me- 10 in which the maximum amount of energy derived chanical energy from the force of the wind, in from wind pressure is directly converted into a which groups of vanes are, mounted in radially driving torque, which may be usefully employed. extending portions of a frame structure, and. in the generation of mechanical energy. means individual to each of the radially extend: Another object of my invention is to provide a ing portions for controlling the angular position construction of a balanced driving system, operof the vanes of one group independent of the 15 ative in accordance with wind pressure which angular position of the vanes of the correspondemploys a multiplicity of driving units, which ing groups, in combination with means opermay be simultaneously maintained in positions ative with respect to the aforesaid means for to establish maximum pressure areas for effecting simultaneously releasing all of the vanes from a driving operation, all of which units may be the aforesaid control, and allowing the vanes to 20 released to bring the driving mechanism to rest assume positions forming minimum obstruction 1 independent of the constancy of the wind presto the wind for bringing the apparatus to rest. sure. A further object of my inventionis to provide Still another object of my invention is to proa construction of preformed vane for appavide a construction of apparatus for generating ratus, operative for usefully employing the force 25 mechanical energy from wind pressure, in which of wind for generating mechanical energy, in a multiplicity of driving units are arranged in which each vane is substantially curved in crosspositions to be driven by the force of wind and section and the several vanes are oifset in spaced in which each of the driving units is divided into planes with respect to each other, allowing both a multiplicity of portions which coact with each the pressure and partial vacuum effects to be 30 other for deriving from the wind pressure, and derived from the force of the wind. 7 partial vacuum created thereby, the maximum A still further object of my invention is to turning moment proportional to the wind presprovide a construction of apparatus for generatsure. ing mechanical energy from wind pressure, in A further object of my invention is to provide which a pressure area is provided constituted by 35 an apparatus for deriving mechanical energy a multiplicity of alternately arranged curved from wind pressure in which a multiplicity of vanes, each of the vanes being pivotally mounted rows of vanes are arranged in echelon toform adjacent one end thereof, and mechanically balpressure areas simultaneously adjustable in meanced for allowing simultaneous movement of 40 chanical position, according to the wind direceach of the said vanes in accordance with the 40 for deriving maximum mechanical energy direction of the wind for effectively abstracting from o h W pressure and partial Vacuum the maximum amount of mechanical energy create? thereby from the force of the wind. g g ggg ggg i 3 g g g Still another object of my invention is to pro- 3 b i d 0.11% a 31 6 vide a construction of structural frame mountnven y 9 Wm W erem a m tlphclty of ing for an apparatus for converting wind presressure areas are rovided, each com risin p z p p g sure 1nto mechanical energy, which is capable of extension or expansion from time to time, as

plurality of vanes and having means for maintaining the vanes in positions which afford se- 0 lective maximum or minimum obstruction to the added- F reqmrements m met by the force of the wind, whereby t generator may be simple addition of further units which are readdriven or brought to rest independently of the ily connectible with the frame structure of the constancy of the wind pressure. apparatus of my invention.

Another object of my invention is to providea Other and further objects of my invention will structure for converting W nd pressure into mebe more fully understood from the specification 55 hereinafter following, by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of the apparatus of. my invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a crosssectional View taken through the apparatus on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a detailed plan view taken along the section 4-5 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the actuated position ofjthe control members for releasing the abutments which control the crank connecting members; Fig. '7 is a plan view partially broken away and showing on an enlarged scale the arrangement of cranks and crank connecting members employed in the apparatus of my invention; Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional View taken on line 88 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9+9 of Fig. 7; Fig. 10 is a sectional view similar to the view shown inFig. 9 but illustrating the released position of the abutment for allowing free circular movement of the crank connecting member; Fig. 11 is a fragmentary elevational View looking at a portion of one of the pressure areas on one .of the radially extending portions of the frame structure; Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken through one form of bearing or journal which I may provide for the upper end of the vertically arranged shaft members and the connecting means for the crank connecting member; Fig. 13 isa cross-sectional view taken through one of the intermediate bearings for the vertically disposed shaft members; Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a portion of one of the shaft members show.- ing the arrangement of the vanes thereon; Fig. 15 is a lateral sectional view through one of the crank connecting members and the. coacting abutment which operates in conjunction therewith; Fig. 16 is a plan view my invention in which the effective areas of the radially extending portions of the frame structure may be selectively controlled at will; Fig. 17 is an elevational View of the modified form of apparatus illustrated in Fig. 16; and Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken through one of the control solenoids employed in the apparatus of my invention. 7

My invention is directed to an apparatus for converting the forces of the wind into mechanical energy. In many parts of the world, there are areas in which wind prevails over relatively long periods of time at appreciable velocity. Data available from the United States Weather Bureau shows that in many sections of. the globe, it is not unusual for wind velocities to exist with fair constancy. Such wind velocities may average from five to thirty miles per hour, and higher. Such wind velocities may be measured as pressures in pounds per square foot, and in the examples cited may extend from 0.12 to 4.50 pounds per square foot'at the aforementioned wind velocities in miles per hour. and development, I have devised the apparatus of my invention for usefullyemploying the pres-v sure of the wind for the generation of mechanical energy. Such wind generator may be utilized for the production of mechanical or electrical energy at low cost.

Inthe apparatus of my invention, radially extending portions are so constructed that. additional sections may be readily added in both a vertical and a radial direction for increasing the capacity of the wind generator. Moreover, the

apparatus of my invention may be readily conof a modified form of a After extended search r structed with the radially extending portions at 60, or at other angular displacement with respect to each other. portions each provide mounting means for pressure areas which constitute the driving means for the generator. The pressure areas in each of the radially extending portions of the frame structure are constituted by a multiplicity of vanes arranged in alternate positions in different planes offset with respect to each other.

The vanes are each preformed to provide a curve shape which will form a maximum obstruction to the Wind'for deriving from the wind the maximum energy for the development of maximum turning torque. The vanes which are disposed in alternate positions in one plane with respect to the varies in the adjacent plane make use .oflo'oth the pressure and vacuum effects of the Wind for the development of the turning torque which is applied to the framestructure. That is to say, the vacuum effect which is established on the convexside of the vanes is employed to increase the velocity of air against the concave surfaces of the vanes in the adjacent row of the same group. I so arrange the vanes in one row of the group with respect to the vanes of the same group that a mutual coaction is obtained for insuring maximum utilization of the wind pressure and partial vacuum forces which are established.

Care is taken to counterbalance the vertical shaft members in predetermined positions along the length thereof so that the vanes may be moved under action of the wind with minimum frictional resistance due to the centrifugal acstructure on which the apparatus of my invention'is mounted. Reference character 2 designates'the annular rail system on which the apparatus is supported. The frame for mounting.

theapparatus is designated generally by reference character Fahd is constituted. by ra'diaily extending. portions whichl have designated at G, 5, 6 and i. The radially extending portions may have any above the other. For purposes of explaining my invention, I'have indicated three separate sections in superimposed relation at 8, 9 and IE3. Each of the superimposed sections are substan- The radially extending number of sections mounted one tially braced by suitable structural. elements to insure'a rigid frame structure which in itself offers minimum resistance to the wind and which is wholly self-supporting. The frame structure "3 is mounted upon roller members H which engage the annular rail system 2 and allow the frame structured to revolve about the annular rail system. Roller members' ii may be secured to the frame structure 3 on suitable roller bearings carried by mountingfmeans i2. In order to insure the guidingofthe'frame about the'annular rail system 2, I provide auxiliary roller members M rotatably mounted in mounting means i 5 supported from frame 3 by structure 3 means H5. The auxiliary roller members l4 engage the sides of the annular rail system 2 preventing dislodgment of the apparatus from position on the annular rail system 2. The entire frame structure 3 is free to revolve under pressure of the wind as will be hereinafter more fully explained. The torque for rotative force delivered by the revolving frame structure is transferred from the revolving frame structure through a suitable form of driving shaft reinforced in' its connection with the revolving frame structure in various ways.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate one method by which the power is taken off from the rotating frame structure 3 for any desire-d purpose. I have shown a plate member connected intermediate the radially extending portions of the revolvable frame structure 3 by means of corner plate members l8 riveted to the frame structure 3 through suitable means such as rivets i9, a rigid interconnection being made between plate I! and the corner members |8 by means of rivets 2 i which rivets also extend through spacer plate members 22 and through bracket members 23. The bracket members 23 depend beneath the revolving structure 3 and serve as pivot means for the angularly shiftable pivotally mounted arms 24 pivoted at;25 in the bracket members 23. The arms 24 are capable of angular movement through a relatively short distance by abutment with the depending portion 25 or" the bracket 'members 23; Each of the arms 24 are weighted at their inner ends, asindicated at 21, and normally tend to shift by gravitation to a position in which the radially extending outwardly projected portions of the arms 24 abut against the limiting stops 26 forming part of the brackets 23. In effecting such gravitational shift, the outer ends of arms 24 engage the lower ends of the abutment control rod members 28. The abutment control rod members 28 extend-vertically with respect to the frame structure 3 and are each substantially housed and protected by means of the angular members 29 carried by the frame structure 3. Rod members 23 operate the abutment controls for the pressure areas as will be described more fully hereinafter. weighted ends of the arms 24 rest in engagement with the annular flange of the collar member 30. The collar member 30 is concentrically disposed about main shaft 3| and is shiftable along main shaft 3| by means of the forked arm 32. The end of the forked arm 32 embracesthe sleeve 33 of the collar member 39. Arm 32 is provided with a cam shaped surface 34 directly engaging the lower faceof the flanged sleeve 39 for permitting the sleeve to be shifted longitudinally along shaft 3i. By raising the arms 24 in this manner, the abutment control rods 28 are allowed to gravitationally move downwardly for controlling the limiting abutments for the pressure areas as will be hereinafter described. For the purpose of explaining myinvention, I have shown arm 32 pivoted at 35. on mounting means 36 with the opposite end of arm 32 adapted to be controlled by any suitable means through rod member BI. By accurately balancing the mass of all of the parts, I arrange the systemwhereby a minimum force is required for operating the arm 32 and shifting flanged sleeve 30 for an'gularly vmoving V 24 and allowing the abutment control rods 28 to gravitationally move to any desired position. The movement of arm 62 is very slight and is limited on the one side by the weighted arms The the Weighted ends of flanged abutment 38 and. on the other side by the limitations of movement permitted by arms 24.

As heretofore noted, the main shaft 3| extends concentrically through the flanged sleeve 30. A main shaft 3! is connected to central plate II in any suitable manner such as rigid connections 39 extending through the flange 4|! carried either as an integral or separable part adjacent the shaft 3|. The main shaft 3| delivers power to any desired point through suitable transmission for driving any form of equipment including electrical generators, fluid pumps, or for direct power delivery purposes.

The several radially extending sections 4, 5, 6 and 1 include mounting means for the sets of vertically disposed shaft members 4| rotatably mounted in one row in each radially extending frame portion and a set of shaft members 42 rotatably mounted in another row, the first row of shaft members 4| being offset and disposed in spaced relation to the second row of shaft members 42. The vertically arranged shaft members 4| and 42 are rotatably journaled in the radially extending portions of the frame 3 in any desired manner. I have illustrated one form of bearing support for the shaft members which hasbeen shown in an enlarged cross-sectional view in Fig. 12. Shaft member 4| is illustrated terminating adjacent the upper end of the top of frame structure 3 to which is riveted by means of rivet member 43 the journal box 44 provided with an upstanding cylindrical portion 45. The cylindrical portion 45 provides an annular race through which shaft4| extends. A raceway 4G is mounted in the annular portion of the cylindrical member 45 for guiding ball bearings 4! which coact with an upper race 48 which projects downwardly into the annular raceway formed in cylindrical member 45. The cylindrical member 45 may contain a quantity of oil in which the ball bearings constantly operate. A housing for the bearing is shown at 49 secured by means of screws 59 to the upper race 48/ The annular skirt 5| of the housing 49 coacts with the upwardly extending cylindrical portion 45 to maintain the bearing, free of dirt, dust, foreign matter, and the elements. The shaft 4| is connected with the upper race 48 by means of nuts 52 which are carried on the screw-threaded end 53 of shaft 4| and which grip opposite sides of the housing 49. The lower nut 52 rests directly in a recess 54 in the upper race 43 and supports the weight of the shaft 4|. The upwardly projecting end 55 of shaft 4| is screw-threaded at 56 to receive nut 51 against which the crank 58 is supported. The shaft 4| is polygonally shaped at 59 to coact with a correspondingly shaped aperture 6%! -in crank 58. In lieu of the polygonally shaped construction of the shaft, I may provide a key and keyway connection between the shaft and. the crank. The upper extremity of shaft 4| is screwthreaded, as indicated at 6| to receive the cap nut 52 which is maintained in position by means of pin 53. of construction, it should be clearly understood that the construction shown is wholly illustrative and that I may employ any preferred modified form of detailed construction. I provide means for journaling the shaft members 4| and 42 at intervals along the vertical height of the radially extending frame portions. Fig. 13 shows one form of bearing which I may employ for the intermediate journaling of the shaft members 4| and 42. Bracket member is riveted or suitably While I have illustrated one form I 'of the frame structure.

secured by means 8| through the frame structure 3. Bracket is apertured for the passage 7 of shaft 4|. Shaft 4| extends through the wood sleeve 82 suitably secured by bolt connections 83 to bracket 80. The wood sleeve 82 is housed by means of casing member 84 secured by suitable means such as 85 to shaft 4|. The wood sleeve 82 may be impregnated with a lubricant to insure the continuous free running of the shaft members 4| and 42 at the same time that the shaft members are adequately supported intermediate the different sections of the radially extending portions of the frame structure.

It will be understood that the shaft members 4| and 42 in the displaced rows of shaft members are arranged in each of the radially extending portions 4, 5, 6, and i of the frame structure 3. For the sake of clarity, I have shown on an enlarged scale, in Fig. 7, a fragmentary View of the cranks connected with the shaft members 4| and 42. The cranks connected with shaft members 4| are shown at 58. The cranks connected with shaft members 42 are shown at 64. In order to provide for the control of shaft members 4| and 42 in unison, I provide a crank connecting member 65. For purposes of explaining my invention, I have shown the crank connecting member in the form of a laterally extending plate 65, but it will be understood that the crank connecting member may assume other forms such as a chain and sprocket arrangement or structural interconnecting member of a variety of forms or shapes. The cranks 58 and 64 each have upwardly projecting pins wand 61 thereon. These pins 66 and 6'! fit into sockets provided in cap members 68 and 69 carried on the crank connecting member 55. The pins have a certain amount of lost motion with respect to the sockets in which they operate to al ow for inequalities which may occur in the design and assembly of the several coacting cranks.

While showing pin and pocket connections for the control of the cranks 58 and 64, it should be understood that other forms of connections may be made. The crank connecting member 65 is capable of movement in an orbit substantially longitudinally of the radially extending portions member 65 may move in an oscillatory path or in a circularpath, depending upon the control of the crank connecting member by means of certain abutments which I provide. A separate abutment is provided for each crank connecting member, and the various abutments are inde pendently controlled. The abutments are shown more clearly in Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 10, and each include a plate member or shoe 10 carried on lever arm 1|, which is pivoted in journal 72 carried by frame structure 3. The lever H, counterbalanced by means of the counterbalance Weight i3, is connected in such a manner as to produce a turning torque on lever 1|.

Normally the counterbalance weight 13 pro- 'duces a clockwise torque on lever 14 which shifts lever H to a position in which shoe 10 is elevated to engage beneath the depending end 15 of the crank connecting member 65. 'The counterbalance weight lever M is' extended to the position 76 and is engaged by the headed end" of the abutmentrcontrol rod 28, explained more fully in connection with Figs. 4, 5, and 6. The abutment control rod 28, when released by movement of arms 24, operates against the mass of counterweight 13 to enable shoe It to gravitate away from crank connecting member 65, and thereby Each crank connecting tinuous. pressure area.

. release crank connecting member 65 for free circular movement. The mass of abutment control rod 28 is designed sufliciently in excess of the mass of counter-weight 13 to insure the lowering of shoe 10, when levers 24 are actuated to allow abutment control rods 28 to gravitate. The vertically extending shafts 4| and 42 are thus controlled in each section of the radially extending portions of the frame structure, so that one set of vertically extending shaft members in one section move in unison, but independently of the movement of the vertically extending shaft members in the. other sections of the frame structure.

The shaft members 4| and 42 as they extend through the superimposed sections, provide means for mounting the several vanes which constitute the driving pressure areas for the apparatus of my invention. I have designed the vanes with a view of converting maximum energy from available wind pressure. I have shown in Fig. 14 a perspective view of the. vanes mounted on the vertically disposed shaft 4|. It will be observed that the vanes are shaped to provide a concave pressure surface 9| and convex surface 92. It will also be observed that the vertically extending shaft 4| passes through the vanes adjacent one edge thereof. The tendency resulting from this unbalanced mounting, from the viewpoint of centrifugal force, is to keep the longer portions of the vanes directed outwardly from the central axis. This tendency is undesirable since wind pressure would be required to overcome the centrifugal force which is present when the apparatus is in operation. counterbalance weight 93 carried on an arm 94 for the vanes in each section of the apparatus, so that the turning moment on shaft 4| is produced by pressure of the wind with minimum mechanical losses and without opposition by centrifugal force. 7,

I also wish to point out that the shaft 4| is arranged substantially chordal to the vanes so that the shaft 4| extends through the curve of each of the vanes. The vanes 98, which are carried on the shaft members 4|, alternate in position with respect to the vanes 95 which are carried on the shaft 42. Fig. 1 shows the arrangement of the-vanes 90 and 95 in echelon or staggered arrangement in the radially extending section 1. For the sake of clarity, I have omitted showing the vanes 95 inthe radially extending section 6. and the vanes 90 in the radially extending section 4 in Fig. 1. However, the actual appearance of the pressure areas is as shown in Fig. 11, wherein the vanes es and 35 alternate in position and receive the force of the wind directly thereagainst, thereby forming a substantially con- The alternate arrangement of the vanes 90 and 95 insures the maximum conversion of energy from the wind pressure, as the partial vacuum created adjacent one set of vanes in one plane tends to create driving pressure which integrates with the driving pressure derived from the force of the wind'for driving the vanes in the adjacent plane. As heretofore explained, the vanes in one radially extending section movein unison independently of the movement of the vanes in the corresponding radially extending sections.

By reason of the fact-that the vanes in one radially extending section are free to'rnovein- I, therefore, provide a' on the shafts 91 and 98 is of generally similar frame structure rotates and in accordance with the direction of the wind. This will be understood by detailed reference to Fig. 3 in which it will be seen that. wind in the direction of the arrows approaches the vanes in radially extending portion 4 streamline. with respect to the vanes 99 and 95. This is also the case with respect to the vanes in section 5 and in section 6. The vanes in section I, however, are automatically adjusted in planes normal to the directionof the wind and serve through one quadrant of movement of the frame. structure 3 to drive the frame structure 3 under pressure of the wind. As the vanes shift to positions which might tend to retard the movement of the frame structure 3, they automatically assume streamline positions so that the frame structure 3 returns toward the wind with minimum obstruction to the. wind. That is to say, the varies in the radially extending portions 4, 5 and I successively and repeatedly, through substantial quadrantal portions of the orbit of the frame structure, come into operative positions for adding rotative impulses to the movement of the frame. The coaction of the. several radially extending portions and the pressure areas therein accordingly add up the forces to produce a substantial turning torque on the frame structure.

In the successive and'repeated operations of the vanes in each of the radially extending portions, the abutments or, shoes I9 are maintained in an extreme upward position whereby the crank connecting member 05 cannot move in a complete circular path but is limited to an oscillatory path. Where, however, it is desired to shut down the operation of the frame structure, the control mechanism including lever 32 which has heretofore been explained is operated to move arms 24 in a position whereby abutment control rods 28 gravitate to a position which allows abutments or shoes I to be released from engagement with the depending end I of the crank connecting member 65 thereby allowing continuous movement of the crank connecting members in a circular path so that the vanes instead of being locked in a predetermined position to present pressure areas in a plane normal to the direction of the wind are free to be continuously shifted to streamline position according to the direction of the wind thereby providing substantially no driving area at all so that the Wind is free to blow through the apparatus without driving the apparatus.

There are conditions under which I may desire to modify the speed at which the apparatus of my invention is driven by the wind, in which event, I divide the pressure areas in each pressure section or wing into selective groups of vanes and arrange means for controlling the selective groups to provide either an effective pressure area or an ineffective pressure area, as desired.

Figs. 16, 1'7, and 18 show different modified forms of my invention. It will be observed that the radially extending sections are provided with selective groups of vanes. For example, radially extending portion 9 of the frame structure is radially extended to provide mounting means for a selective group of vanes shown generally at 99. The vanes in the selective group 96 are carried by sets of vertically extending shaft members 9'! and 90. Shaft members 91 and 98 are journaled in the extended portion 96 of the frame structure and provide mounting means for the vanes 99 and I09. The crank connecting member IOI which interconnects the cranks through switch II l from construction to the crank connecting member 65 and associated mechanism heretofore described. The crank connecting member IOI is with a depending end I92 which normally provides a stop against the limiting abutmerit Ii'it which corresponds generally to the abutment or shoe l0 ccacting with the downwardly extending end l5 of crank connecting member 65. However, in order to provide for the simplified selective control of the groups of vanes,'I arrange a solenoid operating mechanism shown more clearly in Fig. 18 wherein the electromagnetic winding I04 operates to control the movement of armature member I05 against the action of spring I09 for purposes of shifting abutment control rod I9? for retracting shoe I03 provided against the operation of the counter-weight I00 when it is desired to remove any obstruction to the free movement of the vanes 99 and I00. That is to say, by closing the control circuit by movement of switch I09, solenoid winding I00 is energized from power supply circuit III) to retract abutment I03 out of the path of the depending portion I92 of the crank connecting member IOI. When the solenoid winding I04 is deenergized, the counter-weight the shoe I03 to its extreme upward position and crank connecting member IOI, in the course of its movement again engages over shoe I03 and is thereby brought to a limiting stop with the vanes in planes normal to the direction of the wind. Inasmuch as it is desired to selectively control the vanes in groups, I provide, in the arrangement shown in Figs. 16, 17 and 18, a similar electrical control for the main group of vanes 9t and 95. The electrical control for the main group of vanes includes solenoid III operating armature IIZ for controlling the abutment control rod 28. The electrical control circuit to the solenoid winding III is controlled the power circuit H0.

In describing my invention, I have referred to certain preferred forms of construction, but I have in mind various engineering details for carrying out the operation of various parts of the equipment and it is not the intention of any of the illustrative forms in which my invention has been shown to limit my invention to the i1- lustrated forms. Accordingly, I reserve to myself all forms of my invention and I intend no limitations upon my invention other than are imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. In an apparatus for converting wind pressure into mechanical energy, a revolvably mounted frame structure, a plurality of radially projecting portions on said frame structure, a group of shaft members revolvably mounted in each of said projecting portions, groups of vanes mounted on said revolvably mounted shaft members, and means interconnecting the shaft members of each group for controlling the movement of said vanes simultaneously but independently of the vanes of the corresponding groups.

2. An apparatus for converting wind pressure into mechanical energy comprising a revolvably mounted frame structure, projecting portions on said frame structure, groups of vertically disposed shaft members rotatably mounted in each of said projecting portions, groups of vanes mounted on said vertically disposed shaft members, and means interconnecting the shaft members of each group for controlling the movement of the shaft mem- I08 returns bers of each group in unison independently of the movement of the shaft members of adjacent groups, said vanes carried by said shaft members in alternate and disaligned positions so that a driving pressure surface is presented in a position substantially normal to the direction of the wind by all of said vanes of any one group operating in unison in accordance with the direction of the wind.

3. Apparatus for converting. wind pressure into mechanical energy, comprising a frame structure, vertical shaft members journaled in said frame structure, crank arms connected with said shaft members, a crank connecting member connected in common with said crank arms, an abutment for normally limiting the displacement of said crank connecting member whereby said shaft members are limited to predetermined oscillatory movement, means for releasing said abutment whereby said crank. connecting member is free to move in a circular path, and vanes mounted on said shaft members and coacting to provide a driving pressure surface according to the angular position of said vanes with respect to the direction of the wind.

45. Apparatus for converting wind pressure into mechanical'energy comprising a frame structure having a multiplicity of radially projecting portions thereon, groups of vertically disposed shaft members journaled in each of said projecting portions, groups of vanes mounted on said vertically disposed shaft members, means interconnecting the shaft members of each group for simultaneously controlling the angular movement of the vanes on the shaft members in each of said groups, the vanes in one group being displaceable independently of the adjustment of the vanes in the corresponding groups.

5. In anapparatus of the class described, a pressure section comprising a frame structure, a multiplicity of vanes, a plurality of shaft members for mounting said vanes in said frame struc ture, a connecting member interconnecting all of said shaft members and a releasable abutment providing a limiting stop for said connecting member in one position and'shiftable'out of the path of; 'said' connecting member in another position.

6. Apparatus as described in claim 4 and including separate abutment means cooperative with each said shaft interconnecting means for aligning the vanes of the respective groups of shaft members to receive Wind pressure, and means connected in common with the abutment means members of each plurality in spaced relation meansinterconnecting the shaft membersof'each plurality-for controlling the movement of the cor-respondin group of vanes independently of the vanes in other groups, abutment means 00-' operating with said interconnecting means for normally limiting the angular displacement of said vanes, and means for releasing said abutment meansfor. allowing the vanes to be displaced in angular position beyond the position limited by said abutment means.

8. Apparatus for converting wind pressure into mechanical energy, comprising a wind pressure driving surface constituted by aplurality of curved surface vanes disposed in echelon in parallel planes, the curved surface vanes in one plane being disposed in the positions of greatest density of flowing air passing the curved surface vanes in the other plane, shaft members carrying the said curved. surface vanes in echelon, and means interconnecting said shaft members for insuring simultaneous angular displacement of all of said curved'surface vanes.

ARCHIBALD T. KEENE. 

